The African Union (AU) is poised to reject a European proposal to include a commitment to address “hybrid threats” in the final declaration of the upcoming EU–AU Summit, scheduled for Monday and Tuesday in Luanda, Angola.
European delegates have been lobbying African leaders to adopt the hybrid threats concept, which has often been used in Western political and security frameworks to portray China and Russia as destabilising influences. According to NATO, hybrid threats involve a combination of covert and overt strategies — including disinformation, cyberattacks, economic pressure and political interference — used to achieve geopolitical objectives without triggering traditional warfare.
However, African diplomats are reportedly united in opposition, expressing concern that endorsing the hybrid threats clause could justify extended or expanded European military presence on African soil, particularly in regions like the Sahel, where such deployments are increasingly unwelcome.
Rising Pushback Against Neo-Colonial Narratives
With Africa’s youthful population rejecting what they view as neo-colonial influence, Western institutions such as the EU and NATO have attributed this resistance to alleged “Chinese and Russian propaganda.” Yet many African leaders argue that China and Russia have engaged the continent respectfully and strategically, offering trade, investment and educational partnerships without conditional interference.
“On the whole, both Russia and China have developed longer-term strategies in Africa based on mutual respect and benefaction rather than destabilisation,” said political analyst Kim Heller. “This term is being used by Western nations to discredit these emerging superpowers, particularly in Africa.”
China remains Africa’s largest trading partner, with extensive investments across the continent. While Russia’s economic footprint is smaller, it has strengthened its presence in the Sahel and collaborated with countries like South Africa to expand bilateral trade and capacity-building initiatives.
AU Warned of Reputational Risks
Heller cautioned that endorsing the hybrid threats clause could severely undermine the AU’s credibility.
“Should the AU do so, its credibility will sink further across the continent. Signing such a declaration may be viewed as prioritising Western security interests over African sovereignty,” she stated.
“It could also signal weakness to China and Russia amid Western pressure.”
Cybersecurity Cited — But Evidence Weak
The EU is expected to reference a handful of cyber incidents in Africa to reinforce its argument, including the 2021 cyberattack on Transnet, South Africa’s national port operator, which disrupted supply chains across the SADC region. There have been attempts to link this to the July 2021 unrest following the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma, but no evidence has substantiated a connection.
Despite these isolated cases, many AU member states believe the hybrid threats narrative is being used selectively to advance broader strategic interests.
With domestic populations increasingly demanding resistance to perceived Western influence, the AU’s stance at the forthcoming summit is likely to reflect a strong assertion of continental sovereignty and geopolitical independence.